Audra Lindley

History comes alive at Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary in Santa Monica during their Living History Tour in which costumed actors portraying noted personalities interred there share their stories and contributions to history and society. And although I had heard about the tours in previous years, last weekend was the first time I actually spent two hours on a wonderfully brilliant Saturday afternoon walking among the many souls who chose this peaceful spot as their final resting place. This year's tour featured 14 notable characters more than willing to share their life stories, often adding in many details not widely known about them.

Rounding out an already robust slate of new independent work, Sundance Institute adds two Documentary Premieres and two archive From The Collection films to the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. Screenings take place in Park City, Salt Lake City and at Sundance Mountain Resort January 19-29.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab announced the titles and directors of its next three staged readings of new plays. Release Point by Gino DiIorio, directed by Jeff Zinn will be presented on July 11; Apeshit (note: if unprintable, please spell it Apesh!t) by Philip Gerson, directed by Bob Jaffe on July 23; and Existing Privilege by James DeMarse, directed by Matthew Penn on August 8.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of Matt Hoverman's 'The Glint' directed by Matthew Penn on Wednesday, August 10 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. The reading will feature actors Leslie Lyles, Kate MacCluggage, James Murtaugh, and Richard Poe. Admission is free, but reservations are suggested. For tickets, call 413.528.0100 or visit the Mahaiwe Box Office (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.).

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of Matt Hoverman's 'The Glint' directed by Matthew Penn on Wednesday, August 10 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. The reading will feature actors Leslie Lyles, Kate MacCluggage, James Murtaugh, and Richard Poe. Admission is free, but reservations are suggested. For tickets, call 413.528.0100 or visit the Mahaiwe Box Office (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.).

James Whitmore, the veteran Tony- and Emmy-winning actor who brought American icons Will Rogers, Harry Truman and Theodore Roosevelt to life in one-man shows, died Friday. He was 87 years old.